7 of the best tarot card decks for your next reading

Best: Overall

No tarot deck round-up is complete without a mention of the Rider Waite cards, which many say are the original and still the best. First drawn way back in 1909, this traditional set is perfect for long-standing tarot loyalists who like to do things by the book. The illustrations are bright and vibrant, and the designs give you much to think about. As well as being beloved by tarot professionals, the Rider Waite deck is actually also ideal for beginners, as many of the online guides feature meanings that are based on these cards.

Best: For beginners

This deck encourages users to incorporate tarot reading as a part of their self-care routine. Created by tarot reader Jerico Mandybur, this affordable set is a brilliant all-rounder, especially for beginners. As well as the 78-card deck, it comes with a detailed guidebook which explains the meaning of each card, and helps in your journey to interpretation, no matter what you pull. The cards themselves are fairly modern, illustrated in bright, vibrant colours with bold figures. The cards and book come packaged in a chic-looking box, and look far more expensive than just £22.

Best: For more experienced readers

Designed by Caitlin Keegan, this deck comes in a beautifully luxe gold-foiled navy presentation box, making it ideal for gift giving. The 53 cards are a good size, and the illustrations are modern, bold, and incredibly colourful. As well as being used for tarot, these cards can also be used for traditional card games, making them a great two-in-one buy. However, if being used solely for tarot, these may be better for more advanced readers, since the cards bear only images, and no text. The set does come with a brief explanation booklet, but it may be a little simplistic to help with beginners.

Best: For fuss-free readings

These cards are perfect for those looking for a simple, no-frills deck that won’t complicate things. They’re square-shaped and compact in size, and the illustrations (by Ari Wisner) are drawn to be minimalist and understated. The deck includes a full set of 22 major arcana, 56 minor arcana cards, as well a one-sheeter with brief prompts for each one. The packaging is also plastic-free and — along with the paper the cards are printed on — recyclable.

Best: For something different

This is without a doubt the ultimate tarot deck for millennials, and lovers of pop culture icons everywhere. Designed beautifully by Faye Orlove, it features celebrities, activists, and heroes as each major and minor arcana. The women include the likes of Stevie Nicks, Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham and Greta Thunberg, and users of the cards are encouraged to tune into the energy of each of them from the cards they pull. We love the fun, youthful feel this deck brings to at-home readings. The only thing the set is missing is an explainer booklet, but this is something you can easily find online from an alternative source.

Best: For modern witches

Created by Casey Zabala, this deck has been designed for the “modern witches” among us. The black and white line drawings on each card – drawn in a folk-art style – give it a sense of ease and simplicity, as well as feeling spiritual and rich in meaning. As well as this minimalistic white set, you can also buy this deck in black, but it’s important to note that if you’re newer to tarot and need a guide of how to read these cards specifically, you’ll need to pick up the accompanying book for an additional £18.

Best: For stunning design

These visually impressive cards are enough to wow any tarot fan, and to make at home readings extra special. Designed by Annalise Dragonetti, the founder and creative director of Terra Soleil, the cards are designed using flecks of gold shimmer, and come in a number of colour options, from black to powdery pink. As well as the cards, you will also receive the following with your purchase, which justifies the spend (slightly) more: a linen ritual bag, a hand-selected quartz crystal, and a bi-fold instruction guide to help you read your cards. If it’s stunning design you’re looking for, we would definitely recommend these.